Saint-Marc. The people and troops proclaim the deposition of Pierrot and acclaim Riché President.

Lazarre showed himself devoted to Pierrot only because he himself aspired to the presidency, which general Riché disputed with him. The latter, passing before Lazarre’s house, called to him and said to him publicly, without getting down from his horse: “There is conspiracy against the President and I am not unaware of it; I am wholly devoted to him, but if misfortune struck him, no one other than I would be President of Haiti; let no one forget it.”

Fils-Aimé and Dupuy came to an understanding with some very influential citizens of Saint-Marc: Joseph Constantin, Paul, Lubérisse Barthélemy, Destin St-Ls Alexandre, and general Jacques Louis, inspector of reviews. As the plan of a campaign against the Dominicans was very unpopular, it was agreed that the revolt would break out on the day the troops were assembled at Saint-Marc to receive the order to march off for the Eastern Part.

It was now 22 February, and the carnival had just begun; the population of Port-au-Prince was much agitated and, on the whole, well disposed to take up arms against Pierrot’s government. The next day the commandant of the place had it announced by a public notice that a general march was about to be undertaken against the Eastern Part.

Discontent shows itself more openly; the masqueraders rail against Pierrot, and mimic besides his voice, his gestures, his gait. The signal of revolt, which was to be given at Saint-Marc, is awaited with impatience. Four days passed in feverish expectation. On 28 February the alarm gun is fired to set the national guards and the troops of the line in motion against the Dominicans. At Port-au-Prince as in the countryside, opinion declares itself vigorously against the attempt to conquer the East.(c)(d)

In that interval the opening of the march of the Haitian army had been announced in every locality of the Republic.

The discontent there was the same as at Port-au-Prince, above all in the department of the Artibonite.

The conspirators of Saint-Marc took advantage of the assembling of the troops who were to set out, to carry them into revolt; and on 27 February the people, the 3rd regiment of artillery, the 7th and 8th, the gendarmerie, the 20th and the cavalry, drawn up on the place d’armes, proclaimed the deposition of Pierrot and acclaimed Riché President of Haiti.